repose

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a state of resting after exertion or strain
especially : rest in sleep
b
: eternal or heavenly rest
pray for the repose of a soul
2
a
: a place of rest
b
: peace, tranquility
the repose of the bayous
c
: a harmony in the arrangement of parts and colors that is restful to the eye
3
a
: lack of activity : quiescence
b
: cessation or absence of activity, movement, or animation
the face in repose is grave and thoughtful
4
: composure of manner : poise

repose

2 of 3

verb (1)

re·​pose ri-ˈpōz How to pronounce repose (audio)
reposed; reposing

transitive verb

: to lay at rest

intransitive verb

1
a
: to lie at rest
b
: to lie dead
reposing in state
c
: to remain still or concealed
2
: to take a rest
3
: to rest for support : lie
4
archaic : rely

repose

3 of 3

verb (2)

re·​pose
reposed; reposing

transitive verb

1
a
: to place (confidence, trust, etc.) in someone or something
b
: to place for control, management, or use
2
archaic : to put away or set down : deposit

Example Sentences

Noun typically the wealthy socialite spends most of the morning in repose, is served lunch, and then embarks on an exhaustive afternoon of shopping enjoyed the repose of a serene summer evening
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Next to his delicately forlorn paintings and drawings, his photographs feel like a violation; one picture splays a photo of his mother and older sister in idyllic repose into violent contortions. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Mar. 2023 The 35-year-old star soccer player and activist is in a post-practice repose: barefaced in a black hoodie with her faded purple hair tousled like she’s just woken up from a nap and gold rings on her fingers. Ryan Mcginley; Styling By Yashua Simmons, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 May 2021 Throughout recorded history, eruption has been its normal state, which has had only short periods of repose. Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2021 And then there's the trunk, which in drugged repose seems an endearing procession of deep, warm wrinkles but in actuality is one of the most formidable instruments in the animal kingdom. Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, 28 Sep. 2021 She’s often shot simply, in quiet repose, or performing all-consuming physical labor, set against the breathtaking vistas of this place, set to the music of cellist Ben Sollee and string trio Time For Three. Tribune News Service, cleveland, 12 Feb. 2021 The funeral mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be live streamed on the Vatican News YouTube channel. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 4 Jan. 2023 Lori asked the faithful to pray for the repose of the soul of the former pope, who was the first to resign in 600 years. Cassidy Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2023 Van Gogh’s 1889 Peach Trees in Blossom depicts a scene of quiet repose in nature, with few humans in sight, towering mountains in the background and the fruitful trees in the foreground. Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2022
Verb
Some deconstructed skeletons, not all human, repose in front of the theater seats; a pair of nooses hung stage right, evidence perhaps of lynching. Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Mar. 2023 Although, based on their various states of repose around a woodstove, our six English setters and two Labradors give the impression that a day off is not too much of an imposition. Christine Cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Nov. 2021 The hour had come to repose the Blessed Sacrament, to move it from exposition to rest. New York Times, 26 June 2021 Vincenzo Anastagi, in field armor—the forty-four-year-old sergeant major of Castel Sant’Angelo seen in momentary repose in El Greco’s swagger portrait—commands the room with his suspicious, unflinching gaze. Colin B. Bailey, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2021 Explore the many natural beauties of the state that repose in its parks, beaches and mountains. WSJ, 13 Apr. 2021 Ojih Odutola's ability to capture movement and repose felt symbolic. Osayi Endolyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2020 Many of us saw it as an end-run around the Senate’s advice-and-consent power (Article II, Section 2), as a way to repose power in radical thinkers who stood no chance of being confirmed. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 17 Apr. 2020 This influence is evident in the way the leads’ full frontal nudity, specifically, is shown in moments of quiet and repose. Eleanor Stanford, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2020
Verb
Some deconstructed skeletons, not all human, repose in front of the theater seats; a pair of nooses hung stage right, evidence perhaps of lynching. Jeffrey Gantz, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Mar. 2023 At that moment, the camera reached the last plate, upon which reposed Bunky. Anne Fadiman, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Feb. 2023 Answers repose after each cluster of questions. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2022 Although, based on their various states of repose around a woodstove, our six English setters and two Labradors give the impression that a day off is not too much of an imposition. Christine Cunningham, Anchorage Daily News, 20 Nov. 2021 The hour had come to repose the Blessed Sacrament, to move it from exposition to rest. New York Times, 26 June 2021 Vincenzo Anastagi, in field armor—the forty-four-year-old sergeant major of Castel Sant’Angelo seen in momentary repose in El Greco’s swagger portrait—commands the room with his suspicious, unflinching gaze. Colin B. Bailey, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2021 Explore the many natural beauties of the state that repose in its parks, beaches and mountains. WSJ, 13 Apr. 2021 Ojih Odutola's ability to capture movement and repose felt symbolic. Osayi Endolyn, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 May 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French reposer, from Late Latin repausare, from Latin re- + Late Latin pausare to stop, from Latin pausa pause

Verb (2)

Middle English, to replace, from Latin reponere (perfect indicative reposui)

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of repose was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near repose

Cite this Entry

“Repose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repose. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

repose

1 of 3 verb
re·​pose ri-ˈpōz How to pronounce repose (audio)
reposed; reposing
1
: to lay at rest
reposed her head on a cushion
2
: to lie at rest
reposing on the couch

repose

2 of 3 noun
1
: a state of resting after effort or strain
especially : rest in sleep
2
: freedom from disturbance or excitement : calm
the repose of the forest
3
: absence or stopping of activity or movement
a face in repose

repose

3 of 3 verb
re·​pose
reposed; reposing
1
: to place (as trust or confidence) in someone or something
2
: to place for control, management, or use
Etymology

Verb

Middle English reposen "to lay at rest," from early French reposer (same meaning), from Latin repausare (same meaning), from earlier re- "back, again" and pausare "to stop," from Latin pausa "a pause" — related to pause

Verb

Middle English reposen "to replace," from Latin reponere "replace"

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